Shaggy marks 24 years of 'Hey Sexy Lady' with fan tribute
Synopsis
Twenty-four years after 'Hey Sexy Lady' first charted, Shaggy says the track still hits the same — and the fans agree. From a 1993 dancehall debut to a spot on the FIFA World Cup 2026 album, the reggae icon's staying power is anything but accidental.
Key Takeaways
Shaggy marked 24 years of 'Hey Sexy Lady' with an Instagram post on 4 September , sharing the original music video.
He has earned eight Grammy nominations and won twice — for Boombastic (1996) and 44/876 with Sting (2019).
He won the Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist in 2002 .
In 2007 , Jamaica awarded him the Order of Distinction (Commander) ; in 2022 , Brown University gave him an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts .
His latest studio album Lottery features 13 tracks with artists including Sting , Robin Thicke , and Anthony Hamilton .
In June 2026 , his song 'Love Always Wins' was included on the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album .
Jamaican-American reggae star Shaggy has marked 24 years of his beloved track 'Hey Sexy Lady', declaring on Instagram that the song continues to resonate just as powerfully with audiences today as it did when it first dropped. The anniversary post, shared on 4 September, paired the original music video with a text overlay reading '24 years of Hey Sexy Lady' and drew an outpouring of response from fans across the globe.
The Anniversary Post
'24 years later and this one still hits the same!!!! From the original video to stages around the world, thanks to everyone who's been rockin' with me all these years,' Shaggy wrote in the caption. The message was directed at fans who have kept the track alive across generations, from its early-2000s chart run to live concert stages worldwide.
A Career Built on Reggae Milestones
Shaggy — born in Jamaica and raised in the United States — is among the most decorated reggae artists of his era. He has earned eight Grammy Award nominations, converting two into wins: Best Reggae Album for Boombastic in 1996 and for 44/876, a collaborative album with Sting, in 2019. He also claimed the Brit Award for International Male Solo Artist in 2002.
His catalogue of hits includes 'It Wasn't Me', 'Boombastic', 'In the Summertime', 'Oh Carolina', and 'Angel'. His first major hit, 'Oh Carolina' — a dancehall reworking of a ska classic by the Folkes Brothers — arrived in 1993 and appeared on the soundtrack of the film Sliver. That same year, he featured on producer Kenny Dope's hip-hop album The Unreleased Project.
Honours and Recognition
Beyond music, Shaggy has received significant institutional recognition. In 2007, the Jamaican government awarded him the Order of Distinction with the rank of Commander. In 2022, Brown University conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.
Recent Work and FIFA World Cup 2026
Shaggy's creative output has remained consistent in recent years. His studio album Lottery — a 13-track project marking his return to original, non-holiday material — features collaborations with Jeremih, Robin Thicke, Dexta Daps, Sting, and Anthony Hamilton.
In June 2026, he was included on the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album with the song 'Love Always Wins', a collaboration with Cimafunk and Zema, as part of the official music rollout for the tournament. With the anniversary of 'Hey Sexy Lady' now behind him, attention turns to how Shaggy continues to extend his global footprint across new generations of listeners.
Point of View
But Shaggy's longevity is worth examining on its own terms. 'Hey Sexy Lady' arrived at a moment when reggae-pop crossovers were commercially dominant, yet few artists from that wave have sustained both critical recognition and mainstream visibility two decades on. His inclusion on the FIFA World Cup 2026 album is not a nostalgia play — it signals active commercial relevance. The question mainstream coverage rarely asks is how a Jamaican-American artist navigates the tension between global pop appeal and reggae authenticity; Shaggy's dual Grammy wins across different eras suggest he has managed it better than most.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Shaggy post about 'Hey Sexy Lady' on Instagram?
Shaggy shared the original music video of 'Hey Sexy Lady' on Instagram with a text overlay reading '24 years of Hey Sexy Lady', and wrote in the caption that the song still hits the same after two decades. He thanked fans who have supported him from the track's early days to live stages around the world.
How many Grammy Awards has Shaggy won?
Shaggy has won two Grammy Awards out of eight nominations. He won Best Reggae Album for Boombastic in 1996 and again for 44/876, his collaborative album with Sting, in 2019.
What is Shaggy's connection to the FIFA World Cup 2026?
In June 2026, Shaggy was featured on the Official FIFA World Cup 2026 Album with the song 'Love Always Wins', a collaboration with Cimafunk and Zema, as part of the tournament's official music programme.
What honours has Shaggy received outside of music awards?
In 2007, the Jamaican government awarded Shaggy the Order of Distinction with the rank of Commander. In 2022, Brown University conferred upon him an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.
What is Shaggy's latest studio album?
Shaggy's latest studio album is Lottery, a 13-track project of original, non-holiday material featuring collaborations with Jeremih, Robin Thicke, Dexta Daps, Sting, and Anthony Hamilton.
